Tips like these helped us pay off $127K in debt. You can read our story in Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After.
It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. Galatians 5:13 The Message
To me, Christmas means freedom. The very gift of Jesus coming to the earth means we can have abundant life now and eternal life in heaven and that’s good news. But it’s not enough to keep that freedom to ourselves. Instead, we’re called to grow it by serving others. And the holiday season provides the perfect opportunity for families to reach out and make an impact in their communities and a difference in the world.
I believe most families would love to serve but sometimes coming up with the ideas of what you can do together can be overwhelming. So, here are 15 out of the box ideas to help spark your creativity to help freedom grow in December.
- Laundry Mat Care Packages. Landing at the laundry mat during cold months can discouraging. Brighten someone’s day by assembling care packages for those who might need an extra dose of Christmas cheer. If you have them, gather samples of laundry detergent and fabric softener. Get a roll of quarters. Add some Christmas candy or cookies and gather things in a basket or gallon sized plastic bag. Don’t forget a Christmas card or handwritten note sharing how much God loves that individual. Pass out the bags to people at your laundry mat or ask the staff if you can leave them behind on washing machines.
- Christmas Carol at the Nursing Home. Every year, our community group heads to a local nursing home to make a joyful noise. With our merriest of attire and best singing voices, we stroll the hallways caroling for the residents, stopping to chat and share some cheer. Since you can’t always know what a resident’s food sensitivities might be, don’t pass out candy or food. But if you like, bring cards or let your kids draw pictures to pass out (or if you’re like me, clean through the gazillion pictures we already have and spread the love). If you want to bring homemade cookies or other goodies, give them to the nurses on staff, thanking them for loving those in their care.
- Take Baked Goods to the Local Fire Department or Police Station. So many men and women log hours protecting the community and working to ensure a Merry Christmas for others. Spend the morning baking cookies and praying for the safety of these heroes. The delivery visit is sure to be a hit with your kids! Shake hands, give hugs or high fives and tell these individuals you’re thankful for their sacrifice.
- Emergency Waiting Room Kits. Just because Christmas arrives, it doesn’t mean that families don’t suffer tragedy and pain. Put together kits to make a difference for those who might be in a literal season of waiting. Gather together items for people who may need to be in the ER over the holidays. Include things like a toothbrush, gum, puzzle books, a pair of socks, and Tylenol. Again, type up or handwrite a special note, letting them know those items have been prayed over and that God cares about their struggle. Be sure you check with the staff and find out the best place to store or pass out the items. You never want to disturb a family in pain or grief but your small package can make a big difference.
- Shovel Someone’s Drive. This project is only possible if you get a white Christmas, but as a family you could grab your best shovels and/or snow blower and tackle a driveway. You could choose a neighbor, friend, or even a stranger to serve. Bundle up and get in a great workout, too.
- Drive Thru Dinner. If you’ve ever had someone buy a meal or drink for you through the drive thru, you know what a great life that can bring to your day. You don’t even have buy anything for yourself if you don’t want to. Just let the cashier know you’re footing the bill and to tell the stranger behind them that God loves them.
- Babysit Together. Know a young couple who could use some encouragement? Volunteer to watch their kids while they go on a date or do some Christmas shopping. Bonus points if you also clean their house for them at the same time.
- Pick Up Trash. On warmer day, head to your favorite park and spend some time picking up the trash from the grounds. Don’t forget to place items you gather in either the recycling bins or the appropriate trash receptacles.
- Volunteer with a Service Organization. Ask at your local church or a community center if there are organizations that need more help during the busy Christmas season. From helping sort canned goods at a local pantry to ringing bells for the Salvation Army to wrapping gifts for local charities, there are so many things to be done in a short period of time.
- Help Meet Needs at Your Local School. Check in with your principal or school secretary to see if there are unique needs that need to be met in the lives of students or teachers. Whether it’s lending a hand to help organize a classroom, donating school supplies (our school always needs backpacks!), or mobilizing other parents to help bless a teacher or parent with gift cards to take care of their needs this Christmas.
- Serve at the Animal Shelter. Pet loving family? Call your local animal shelter or Humane Society to see what sorts of physical needs they have have and if they need volunteers to help serve the furriest for friends during the Christmas season.
- Change Scavenger Hunt. When we were paying off debt, we didn’t have a lot of extra money to give away during the Christmas season. More than once, we wrapped our change to have more to give. Scout out your entire house and car. Leave no couch cushion unturned. Spend time counting the money and then wrap it and then decide together as a family what church or charity you’d like to give it to.
- Gift Card Giver. Host a gift card party. Have a gift card with a few extra bucks on it that you’re never going to use? Know someone else who does, too? Check out Gift Card Giver, where you can donate those gift card odds and ends and put them to good use. Host a holiday party (probably it’s best after Christmas) and have people bring their unused gift cards. Gather them all together and see what kind of impact you can make!
- Write Letters to Deployed Soldiers. Spend time writing letters to soldiers who are far from home during the holidays. Encourage them and thank them for their service.
- Spread the Light. Decorate someone else’s home with a festive spirit. Hang lights on a neighbor’s home (ask their permission first, of course) or see if a local hospital will let you add some cheer to the nurse’s station or in a waiting area. Just be sure you also clean up the decorations and store them, too.
When you choose to serve as a family, you give a gift that is immeasurable in impact, both in those you choose to show love and your own lives. As a result, freedom grows evergreen.
What do you do to serve as a family during the holiday season? Give me some more ideas in the comments!
My book is now available: Slaying the Debt Dragon: How One Family Conquered Their Money Monster and Found an Inspired Happily Ever After. You can also check out Inspiration to Pay Off Debt: 30 Days of Encouragement from the Queen of Free
